WILD RAINFORD coming to you, late 2026!
Since I made the initial announcement back in October, I’ve worked tirelessly on my first-ever book, WILD RAINFORD. Naturally, as I began to organise content and play about with the design, the structure changed, as did the title. What hasn’t changed is my excitement and motivation to see the project through, and to craft the perfect book. Until then, here’s an insight into what’s changed since last time, as well as an exciting look at some of the featured content.
WILD RAINFORD – My First Ever Photography Book
First and foremost, the title of my book has changed from Wildlife of Rainford to WILD RAINFORD. Upon reflection, I wanted the book to reflect my approach to nature and landscape photography. Rather than restrict the book solely to wildlife photography (which wouldn’t have been an issue), I wanted to highlight the beauty of flora, fauna, and the broader landscapes. I’m confident that there’s something for everyone inside this book.
WILD RAINFORD is on track to be roughly one hundred pages long. The content is photography-rich, featuring the very best of my work throughout the project’s lifetime. Each photograph, beautiful in its own right, will be accompanied by a first-person recollection of how the capture came to fruition. Expect exciting behind-the-scenes insights and a real look into the beauty of our local nature.
A concept mock-up for illustrative purposes only.
If you’re not from Rainford Village, don’t worry! The book isn’t exclusive to Rainford. The content within derives from nature found around Rainford, but the message remains the same, no matter where you are in the country. The message being that together, we can be the support that nature needs to flourish once again.
The Purpose of WILD RAINFORD
Having briefly touched on the message of WILD RAINFORD, I thought it would be fitting to explain my goals for my book. Nature is experiencing a significant decline, and it’s heartbreaking to witness. I spend the majority of my time outdoors, and over the past few years, the decline has become physically noticeable. Nature is under attack from all angles: climate change, habitat destruction, extreme weather, pollution, persecution…the list is endless. I owe so much to nature and the great outdoors. It has been there for me during some of the most challenging times of my life, and now it’s time to return the favour.
Through the power of creative storytelling, my goal is to raise awareness of the beauty of the great outdoors. Spending time outdoors is invaluable, especially in a modern world dominated by the stresses and strains of day-to-day life. Our green spaces need protection. These precious habitats are essential for nature to thrive. Without them, some of our most iconic species face an extremely uncertain future.
You might think that as individuals, we are powerless, but that is so far from the truth. Small things such as wilding a small part of your garden, avoiding pesticide and herbicide use at all costs, planting native flowers to attract pollinators, and even creating your own small nature ponds. Together, we can make a difference, and I hope that the contents of WILD RAINFORD are enough to forge lasting relationships with nature.
Crafting the Perfect Book
Coming from an experienced marketing background, I recognise the importance of attention to detail. I’m naturally a creative-driven person. I’ve produced cutting-edge brand catalogues and innovative collateral for industry-leading brands, and now it’s time to do it for myself.
WILD RAINFORD will be finished to the highest standard, leaving no stone unturned. From the cover and the binding to the paper stock and finishing, the physical book will reflect the beauty of the content. What’s more, only sustainable sources will be considered. CO2 footprint will be a significant consideration for the creation of WILD RAINFORD.
WILD RAINFORD will be printed at 250x250mm and will feature a silk-printed hardback cover with a sleeve. The paper weight for the inner pages will be circa 200gsm and of professional archival quality. This will result in a premium, non-fading finish that will stand the test of time.
A Sneak Peek of What to Expect From WILD RAINFORD
WILD RAINFORD will feature the very best of my work from the project’s term. The project began in May 2025 and has a duration of 1 year, a full 365 days, allowing me to showcase the beauty of nature across all seasons. The project is ongoing until May 2026, and I’m incredibly excited to make the most of the final few months. The transition from late winter to spring marks one of the best times of year for nature, and as always, I can’t wait to experience it.
With the project featuring the best of my work, WILD RAINFORD will inevitably not feature every single encounter I have had over the past 9 months. It’s a good job in a way, the book would never end! With that said, here are a few sneak peeks of what you can expect from WILD RAINFORD.
“Peeka Boo” – Photograph of the Year
My favourite image of the project to date makes a headline feature. Other than a couple of odd days, it has been a fairly mild winter for us so far. Needless to say, I was eager to make the most of the little snow we did actually see. I honestly wasn’t expecting this, though.
Without spoiling the story too much, this photograph was the result of extreme patience on a bitterly cold day. Times like these make me realise I’m getting too old to be lying on the cold ground for hours on end! A breathtaking experience, well worth the challenge of trying to stand back up again afterwards! This photograph has recently been entered into a couple of wildlife photography competitions and forms part of my portfolio for the British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA).
Beautiful Seasonal Chapters
WILD RAINFORD features four unique chapters: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each chapter is introduced with a captivating landscape photograph which beautifully illustrates a highlight of the season. Within each chapter, you can expect to see a plethora of nature and landscape photography which captures the beauty of the particular season. Whatever the time of year, there’s always something exciting to see.
A firm spring favourite and deserving of its place within WILD RAINFORD, a local ancient woodland sporting a carpet of beautiful native bluebells.
Varied Natural Content – Flora, Fauna, and Landscapes
WILD RAINFORD will feature a plethora of subjects. You will find captivating photographs of wildflowers, wildlife, and landscapes which beautifully illustrate the essence of each unique season. The turning of seasons marks intricate changes in the landscape and the behaviour of wildlife. Capturing these changes makes for intimate photography and creates lasting memories.
Wood Forget-me-nots, one of the most iconic, abundant spring wildflowers, are a real pleasure to photograph. This feature was captured during a moment of simply breathtaking dappled sunset light.
Perhaps the most memorable encounter of the project so far. An unexpected encounter with an elusive female tawny. Moments like these are few and far between, making them unbelievably precious experiences.
Supporting a Nature-Driven Charity
WILD RAINFORD will support the invaluable work of nature-driven charities. I’ve yet to decide on the exact charity, but there are several contenders in the running. As I near the completion of WILD RAINFORD, I will make a firm decision as to which charity the book will directly support. I’ll no doubt post an update on this as the book nears completion.
Professional Photographic Prints
A limited run of photographic prints featuring my favourite moments of the project will accompany the production of my book. Prints will be available in a range of sizes, mostly A-format (A2, A3, A4). All prints will be sustainably sourced and printed on professional archival papers for a premium finish that will stand the test of time.
Future Updates
As the project draws to a close this coming May, I will post a further update outlining a potential launch date. My first thought is to coincide with a local craft fair where I can showcase a range of featured photographs as well as the finished book itself. Until then, there’s still so much exciting work to be done. There are still several elusive subjects I would love to photograph. They’re proving difficult to locate, but that’s part of the fun! With a little luck, I’ll be able to capture their beauty over the coming months.
Several of the encounters featured within WILD RAINFORD will also form part of my portfolio for various photography competitions. One of my goals last year was to work towards a portfolio of worthy photography. It’s nice to say that progress has been made! I’m excited to see how 2026 develops.